Zac's Construction

Begin the Beacon

This is a detail shot of a painting that I've been working on for the last seven years. I've tried to abandon it many times but always come back to it and add a fresh element, but it never says "I'm done." I guess I was influenced by Cassat and wanted to update the theater genre. There is a unique time before the concert begins where the spectators prime themselves and get ready for the full experience. I lived across from the Beacon Theater and frequented the concerts there.

Oracle at Delphi

This is a preliminary tonal sketch for a bigger painting that I plan to do.  Already I see some changes that are necessary.

Shrine of the Sea Monkey

Work in progress...

Portrait Demonstration

This is how I start a head study (usually not on such a yellow ground). I work the largest and most obvious forms first, while exploring a limited palette with various values. I constantly correct my drawing throughout the entire painting.

Triptych Format

These three images of interiors unite as one idea. The panels are all different sizes except for the height. I like diptychs and triptychs not to be bilaterally symmetrical. I think series, however, need to be the same size to hold together. A  triptych can be successful in using unrelated images, which when combined, form an all new entity. This gestalt can be proven by looking at individual paintings and realizing how different they seem when not together. Vincent Desiderio makes this happen in his triptychs.

Chiaroscuro Figure Continued part II

I put some shellac over the drawing followed by an earth toned glaze which I worked into with opaque color. The trick for me is to have the figure disappear into the background but not flatten out (like the hip is doing). There is constant back and forth with the temperature on top of the established values of the drawing. With all of these layers I still want the ground (paper) to sneak through to the top. 

Figure Drawing Part 1

Here is a figure sculpture that I've been working on.  The first step is to establish an x and y grid, followed by the main flow line or expression line.  I'm trying to work temperature and values of the large masses. I am constantly stumping and alcohol washing the media to avoid anything to severe.                              

Chiaroscuro

This drawing uses additive and subtractive methods equally. The white of the paper is the highest value and the cast shadow retains some transparency.

Figure Study

This is a charcoal drawing that was given a coat of shellac and then worked up with some color. I like to do these quick studies to familiarize myself with the pose before committing to it.

Tranforming Drawing into Painting

I was able to have some friends sit for me when they returned from Carnival in their costumes. From the drawing I started playing around with a composition in the included oil sketch. I may do some more oil sketches and then work up a larger painting.